Battle Creek Watershed: A watershed update of the National Wetlands Inventory

The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is an essential tool in assessing the condition of wetlands resources in the United States. The Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) mapped much of the NWI between 1978 and 1984, though there are areas that have yet to be mapped. The Battle Creek Watershed, located in eastern South Dakota, was mapped in 1984. The existing wetland maps for the area are 25 years old and are not applicable to modern land use practices. These maps are used to make decisions that impact wetland resources. Outdated maps make for outdated decisions. A current map is needed to make timely decision on contemporary wetland issues.;This wetland inventory of the Battle Creek Watershed is an update of the NWI using the similar methodologies as outlined in the Cowardin Manual. Through the use of real-color aerial photography and GIS software, a new wetland inventory was created. Once the update was completed, analysis of wetland change within the watershed was completed using ArcMAP statistical tools. Various wetland types gained area, whereas others lost area. Also, many wetland areas transformed from one wetland type to another. The results showed a total wetland loss of 4.23 sq. km (1.66 sq. mi.) in a watershed of 416.93 sq. km (160.98 sq. mi.). Although this is a little over one percent change in total watershed area, it is a 10.2 percent loss in wetland area.